Amazon issues Kindle Fire update to address input lag

Amazon this week updated its newly released Kindle Fire touchscreen tablet, with the latest software version aiming to address some performance issues with the device.

The free over-the-air update is said to enhance "fluidity and performance," as well as improve responsiveness with the touchscreen navigation controls. Amazon first revealed earlier this month that it was working on a software update to address some user complaints, including the sluggish interface.

The Amazon Kindle Fire 6.2.1 software update also allows users to choose which items display on the device's carousel. After updating, users will also be able to add a password lock on Wi-Fi access.

Many reviewers took issue with some of the corners cut by Amazon to sell the Kindle Fire at its aggressive $199 price point. AppleInsider's own in-depth review noted that the "deep cuts" Amazon made to achieve the Kindle Fire's $199 price tag may have erased much of the tablet's "potential allure."

While the software update addresses some performance issues with the device, some user complaints cannot be addressed without new hardware. For example, common user complaints with the Kindle fire include the lack of external volume controls and poor placement of the off switch.

Users have also taken issue with the fact that the Kindle Fire lacks parental controls, and could allow kids to access pornography or make unauthorized purchases. Some have also complained of long load times for Web pages and a lack of privacy on the device.

Amazon announced last week that it has sold "millions" of units of the Kindle Fire, though it declined to give any specific sales figures. The touchscreen tablet has been the company's No. 1 bestselling product since it launched in November.

Analysts have forecasted that the Kindle Fire will become the No. 2 most popular tablet behind Apple's iPad. One recent projection called for Apple's tablet market share to dip to 59 percent, down from 61.5 percent.

Kindle Fire users can check what software version they are running by tapping the "Quick Settings" icon, selecting "More," and then tapping "Device." Users must be connected to a Wi-Fi network and the Kindle Fire's battery must be fully charged in order to update.

To initiate the update, tap "Quick Settings" and then select "Sync." It will download in the background and be automatically applied once the download is complete and the Kindle Fire is asleep.

Took them two weeks to fix Android's screen lag? Gee... either it didn't really fix it, or Google's really dumb. From what I've read this is caused by the kernel not putting the interface thread on realtime priority and essentially can't be fixed without major overhaul, which gets harder every passing day. I don't understand how Android users can put up with it!

Took them two weeks to fix Android's screen lag? Gee... either it didn't really fix it, or Google's really dumb. From what I've read this is caused by the kernel not putting the interface thread on realtime priority and essentially can't be fixed without major overhaul, which gets harder every passing day. I don't understand how Android users can put up with it!

huh? it took them two weeks to fix their own problems which introduced lag. I guess Apple folks will never accept that Amazon created their own fork of Android and deviated away from the main development branch that Google maintains--THIS is more likely the culprit of poor performance. Unless you have your own open source OS running on millions of mobile devices, you should refrain from criticizing the Fire's development team.

huh? it took them two weeks to fix their own problems which introduced lag. I guess Apple folks will never accept that Amazon created their own fork of Android and deviated away from the main development branch that Google maintains--THIS is more likely the culprit of poor performance. Unless you have your own open source OS running on millions of mobile devices, you should refrain from criticizing the Fire's development team.

I suppose that means the fix won't be merged back into the trunk then. Too bad, the display lag/stuttering I've seen (yes, first-hand observation) on some Android powered phones must be a separate problem if this was a Fire-specific issue.

I have a Kindle Fire and received the 6.2.1 update yesterday. Much better. Now I'd feel comfortable recommending the device to someone who wants to use Amazon digital content, provided they don't have concerns about parental controls.

This is actually the third update since product launch: 6.1, 6.2, and now 6.2.1.

huh? it took them two weeks to fix their own problems which introduced lag. I guess Apple folks will never accept that Amazon created their own fork of Android and deviated away from the main development branch that Google maintains--THIS is more likely the culprit of poor performance. Unless you have your own open source OS running on millions of mobile devices, you should refrain from criticizing the Fire's development team.

i don't think anyone is criticizing the update timeframe by Amazon. If anything, the developers should have not released it if it wasn't ready.

huh? it took them two weeks to fix their own problems which introduced lag. I guess Apple folks will never accept that Amazon created their own fork of Android and deviated away from the main development branch that Google maintains--THIS is more likely the culprit of poor performance. Unless you have your own open source OS running on millions of mobile devices, you should refrain from criticizing the Fire's development team.

I don't understand - first of all I was complimenting their team for supposedly fixing Android's endemic screen lag issue. Secondly.... so now we have to either be an OS developer for Apple or Google to comment on OS issues? Nice.

What I don't know is whether the Fire has WORSE screen lag than Android in general. If so then that would explain how they could fix their problem and not be of any help to the Android code base.